Thursday, December 20, 2012

Today the Corvette Racing #4 hauler
stopped by the NCM. Dave James is the driver of the truck and a pit crew
member, “I could fly to races but I don’t like flying that much. Besides, this
is a nice truck to get to drive and the fan reactions that I get along the way
are always fun.”

He’s been with Corvette Racing since 2000 and can’t hide the
smile when he thinks back on his life so far. “Getting to go to France is
great, and every time I step out onto the track there it still gives me chills.
Being a part of the team that wins the greatest race on earth—there’s no
feeling like it.”

He was impressed with the Museum, and despite being a part
of the Corvette story he was surprised by how much he learned along the way. “I
found myself in the Corvette Racing exhibit!” Dave was on his way back from testing in Austin, Texas, at
the Circuit of the Americas when he stopped by the NCM. He says that the
drivers liked the track and are looking forward to racing there. “Another good
thing about adding Texas to the schedule,” he says with a grin, “is that the
National Corvette Museum and the Assembly Plant are on the way home. We’ll get
a chance to stop by more often now.”Another excuse to come here will be the NCM Motorsports
Park. “That’s exciting. I can’t wait until it is done. It’s not that far from
us, and having a track here to test on with all of the major turns from all of
the major tracks we race at will be great for the team and great for the fans
who want to come out and watch. That is going to be a real draw and a lot of
fun.”

If you are new to Corvette Racing and want to be up to speed
for the season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on Saturday, March
16, 2013, you can go to the race archive at www.alms.com/alms-tv and watch last
year’s fight for the ALMS Championship.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Corvette
Racing fans in the Bowling Green, Ky area are in for a treat this week. On its
way home from the Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, Texas, the Corvette
Racing #3 C6.R race car will be making a two-hour appearance at the National
Corvette Museum from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. CST on Thursday, December 20, 2012.

The
Corvette #3 C6.R race car, driven by Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia and Jordan
Taylor, was the 2012 Michelin Green X Challenge GT Team Champion car, finished
2nd in the 2012 American Petit
Le Mans race and has received many other honors at various race events. It
combines a sophisticated chassis as well as powertrain and aerodynamic
technology developed by GM Racing with the advanced engineering of the
sixth-generation Corvette, Corvette Z06, and Corvette ZR1 production models.

The
2012 season marks Corvette Racing's 14th year in international road racing. The
two-car team made its competition debut in February 1999 in the Daytona 24-hour
race, finishing third and 12th. From that modest start, Corvette Racing has
become one of the world's most successful production sports car teams, winning
eight consecutive ALMS GT1 manufacturers and team championships and seven
straight ALMS GT1 drivers' titles.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Annual event has yielded over $18,000 in past three years for non-profit camp

The “1-Lap of Kentucky” tours are popular events that quickly sell out to Corvette adventurers who like chasing a State Trooper while helping two good causes. As a part of the National Corvette Museum in Motion program, the 1-Lap tour raises money for both the Museum and Trooper Island, a Kentucky State Police non-profit camp for underprivileged children.

“This is our third year of doing the Corvette Tour” said retired KSP Sgt. Craig Sutton, who is the tour leader and former Director of Trooper Island. “Each year we have visited a different part of the state. We’re proud of our state and enjoy showing it off to visitors.”

Previous tours have visited the Land Between the Lakes and Owensboro, the Bourbon Trail and Horse Country, and most recently explored eastern Kentucky for a trip through the mining camps, Trooper Island and the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea. “We’re planning three tours next year,” says Museum Events Manager Roc Linkov. “From this unique partnership we get to have a meaningful and fun event that provides underprivileged children with a fun and meaningful event of their own. That is a great thing.”

On Wednesday, December 5, 2012 Roc Linkov presented a check for $11,000 to Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer as Sgt. Craig Sutton presented Museum Executive Director Wendell Strode and Museum Events Associate Karen Renfrow with a plaque from the KSP in honor of the NCM's participation in this worthwhile effort.

While the event typically involves a large number of Corvettes, all makes and models of vehicles are welcome. Next year's event will highlight Kentucky's "Only One" attractions... all the great places and things Kentucky has that exist no where else in the world. To learn more about the 2013 1-Lap of Kentucky event, visit the Museum's website at http://www.corvettemuseum.org/registration/one-lap/info.shtml. Registration for the tours will open late spring 2013.

About National Corvette Museum The National Corvette Museum is the ‘Gateway to all things Corvette’ and is open daily from 8am to 5pm Central Time. It is located at I-65 exit 28 and more information can be found by calling 800-538-3883 or online at www.corvettemuseum.org.

About Trooper IslandTrooper Island was developed by the Kentucky State Police as part of a long range program of public service to the youth of Kentucky. For one week young people can be given a touch of hope and desire of a better tomorrow through experiences at a permanent recreational site. Located in a secluded corner of Dale Hollow Lake near the Cumberland and Clinton County line, the island is leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is run by a non-profit charitable corporation.

Friday, November 30, 2012

The National Corvette Museum has named the entire month of December “Dollar Days” for residents of Kentucky who visit the Museum.All month long, Kentucky residents can tour the Museum for a $1.00 admission per person, and will only need to show a Kentucky drivers license or other proof of residency to take advantage of the special offer. Children will be admitted at the $1.00 price with adults presenting the Kentucky identification.

The Museum features over 70 Corvettes, from the 1953 - the first Corvette to capture the hearts of America, to one-of-a-kind prototypes, the only 1983 in existence and historic Corvettes normally unavailable to the general public. Visitors can sit behind the wheel of a new Corvette, enjoy a number of new hands-on activities in our KidZone and take a drive in the educational Driving Simulators.

A special "Country Music Stars and Cars" exhibit is also on display, featuring Corvettes and Camaros owned by country music celebrities like Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton, George Strait and Kix Brooks. The exhibit also includes original concert prints and posters by Print Mafia and Hatch Show Prints plus memorabilia autographed by a number of celebrities.

“Dollar Days” is the Museum’s way of giving back to Kentucky residents to thank them for their support and gives them an opportunity to see first-hand why the Corvette is one of the state’s greatest resources and the official state sports car. “We are proud to be able to showcase our Museum dedicated to this extraordinary automobile and celebrate, educate and preserve Corvette’s legendary past and future,” states NCM Executive Director Wendell Strode. “Each visit to the Museum is different because exhibits are ever changing. We look forward to welcoming our Kentucky friends.” Visitors can also take a chance to win a 2013 Corvette for only $10 and do some holiday shopping in the Corvette Store.

The National Corvette Museum is the ‘Gateway to All Things Corvette’ and a member-driven, 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation. Weekly news on the latest Corvette developments, racing updates, event features and raffles are available by subscribing to “NCM eNews” at: corvettemuseum.org/ncmenews. Dedicated to the mission of celebration, education and preservation, the Museum is open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT - located at Exit 28 on I-65 in Bowling Green, KY.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

The precisely sculpted design of the all-new 2014 Corvette delivers more than just stunning good looks – every line, vent, inlet and surface has been optimized for performance.“The all-new Corvette integrates more high-performance aerodynamic features than ever before, many taken directly from Corvette Racing,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “For example, the front grill and radiator flow paths reduce lift, improving vehicle stability at high speeds by keeping the car pressed to the pavement. In addition, functional vents increase track capability by channeling air to the brakes, as well as heat exchangers for the transmission and differential.” To develop the aerodynamic package, engineers started with data gleaned from years of on-track, high-speed performance from the Corvette Racing program – the most successful program ever in the American Le Mans Series and the 2012 GT Class champion. These techniques were applied to the production car using the some of the industry’s most advanced computer-aided modeling programs to predict and track airflow over, under and through the new Corvette’s body.

“Its sculpted design excites in all the ways that a Corvette has for six decades, with elements carefully shaped in the wind tunnel to increase airflow potential and improve cooling for a system that is as efficient as possible,” said Kirk Bennion, Corvette exterior design manager. “It’s said that form follows function, but in the case of the aerodynamic 2014 Corvette, form and function work cohesively to produce beautiful purpose.”Chevrolet will introduce the 2014 Corvette on Sunday, January 13, 2013. For more information and video content, please visit www.one13thirteen.com. Enthusiasts can join the conversation about the next-generation Corvette, as well as keep track of new announcements on Facebook (facebook.com/corvette) and Twitter @Chevrolet(#Corvette). Fans that follow the #one13thirteen hashtag on Twitter can look forward to exclusive updates.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

National Corvette Museum showcasing country music celebrity's Chevrolet vehicles

It is amazing how many country music songs mention Chevrolet and the many iconic vehicles the American brand has produced over the years. From Alan Jackson’s Chattahoochee to several Kenny Chesney songs, to Wynonna’s Girls with Guitars, Taylor Swift’s Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts’ Here’s to You… the list goes on and on. In addition to singing about the cars, many of the musicians also own Corvettes and other Chevrolet models. What better way to showcase a piece of Americana than with an exhibit of Country Music Stars and their cars?

The National Corvette Museum welcomes a "Country Music Stars and Cars" display to the Exhibit Hall. The exhibit runs through January 18, 2013, and features Chevrolet vehicles owned by various country music celebrities plus some memorabilia and artwork. “Country Music Stars and Cars” is co-organized by Lon Helton, host of Country Countdown USA and Board Member of the National Corvette Museum.

The Corvettes to be featured in this exhibit include:

Kix Brooks' 1958 Corvette

George Strait's 1958 Corvette

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's 1960 Corvette

Steve Wariner's 1966 Corvette

Roy Orbison’s 1967 Corvette

Dolly Parton’s 1968 Camaro

Troy Gentry's 1970 Camaro SS

George Jones' 1978 Corvette

Marty Robbins' 1981 Corvette

Brad Paisley's 1999 Corvette

Steve Borchetta of Big Machine Records’ 2011 “Rascal Flatts” Camaro

“As a founding member and board member of the National Corvette Museum, this was a great project for me to volunteer my time in helping to organize,” said Lon Helton, CEO/Publisher of the Country radio and music industry trade publication Country Aircheck and host of the syndicated radio show heard on more than 300 stations nationwide, Country Countdown USA. “The country music singers, songwriters and producers were very receptive to the exhibit and I think we have a great representation of both cars and people in the industry.”

In addition to the vehicles on display, the exhibit features large woodblock country music concert prints by Print Mafia of Bowling Green, various pieces of country music memorabilia and autographed items.

Aspiring country musicians are invited to schedule acoustical performances on the Chevy Stage in the Exhibit Hall now through January 18. “One of our staffers is known for her country music vocal talents and would perform short ditties for school groups,” said Katie Frassinelli, Marketing & Communications Manager. “This gave us the idea to open it up to the music community to showcase their talents, much like the Nashville Airport does.” Musicians interested in performing can call Frassinelli at 270-467-8846 or email katie@corvettemuseum.org to schedule a time slot. Performances will be booked primarily on peak hours, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. A schedule of performances will also be posted on the Museum’s website.

For more info on this or other upcoming exhibits at the museum, visit their website at www.corvettemuseum.org or contact the museum at 270-781-7973.

Since 1953 the Corvette has been America's Sports Car. The National Corvette Museum was established as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit foundation with a mission of celebrating the invention of the Corvette; preserving its past, present and future; and educating the public about Corvette.The National Corvette Museum is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT. The Museum is located at Exit 28 off I-65 in Bowling Green, KY. For more information on the National Corvette Museum, visit our website at: www.corvettemuseum.org or call (800) 53-VETTE (83883).

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Boys and
ghouls are invited to “do the mash” at the National Corvette Museum this
weekend! On Saturday,
October 27 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the museum is hosting a free event with loads
of activities for children and their families. A huge success in prior years,
the Monster Mash event was established to provide a fun and affordable
opportunity for children to celebrate Halloween at a national landmark right in
their own back yard.

This year’s
activities include:

Trunk-or-Treat
through a display of Corvettes & collector cars

Free arts
and crafts activities

Carnival
games (25 cents a ticket, most games 2 tickets) with prizes

Face,
hair and nail painting for $1.00 each/4 tickets

Kids'
Costume Contest at 2pm with prizes for ages 0-2 years, 3-5 years, 6-8
years, 9-12 years, Best Homemade Costume and "Best of Show"

Pumpkin
painting for $3.00

DJ Tim
Livingston will also be spinning your favorite Halloween tunes

Museum tour
admission is separate from the free activities, however those who come for the
event (and have at least one person in your group is in costume) receive half
price admission.

For more
information on this event, please contact the museum at 270-781-7973.

Since 1953 the Corvette has been America's Sports Car. The National Corvette
Museum was established as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit foundation with a mission of
celebrating the invention of the Corvette; preserving its past, present and
future; and educating the public about Corvette.

The
National Corvette Museum is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT. The Museum is
located at Exit 28 off I-65 in Bowling Green, KY. For more information on the
National Corvette Museum, visit our website at: www.corvettemuseum.orgor call (800) 53-VETTE (83883).

Thursday, October 18, 2012

New Crossed Flags logo illustrates the character of the all-new, “C7” Corvette, which features only two parts from the C6

Today, Chevrolet confirmed that the seventh-generation Corvette will debut the evening of Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013 in Detroit. To kick off the countdown to the debut, Chevrolet debuted the new Crossed Flags logo for the new, 2014 Corvette

“The all-new, seventh-generation Corvette deserved an all-new emblem,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design. “The new Crossed Flags design reflects the character of the next Corvette. The flags are much more modern, more technical, and more detailed than before – underscoring the comprehensive redesign of the entire car.”

The new Crossed Flags logo was unveiled at Road Atlanta, as Corvette Racing celebrated a sweep of the 2012 production-based American Le Mans Series GT championships.

Chevrolet secured the manufacturer’s championship, Corvette Racing secured the team championship, and Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner captured the drivers’ championship, with four wins in the nine races preceding Petit Le Mans, the 2012 ALMS season finale.

These championships make Corvette Racing the most successful team in ALMS history, with a total of 77 class wins, eight drivers’ championships, and nine manufacturer and team championships since 2001. The team has also taken seven class victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2001. Corvette Racing will campaign the C6.R for the 2013 ALMS season, as the C7.R is expected to make its racing debut in 2014.

“Winning the ALMS championships with the Corvette C6.R, against prestigious competitors from Ferrari, Porsche, and BMW is the perfect send-off for the sixth-generation Corvette,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer.

“The seventh-generation Corvette will build on that success,” Juechter continued. “With the new Corvette, we set out to build a world-challenging sports car with design, refinement, efficiency and driver engagement that is second to none. The result is a truly all-new Corvette. There are only two carryover parts from the C6 used in the C7 – the cabin air filter and the rear latch for the removable roof panel.”

The Crossed Flags logo has been a hallmark of the Corvette since its 1953 introduction. It has always incorporated a pair of flags, one a racing checkered flag and other featuring the Chevrolet “bowtie” emblem and a French fleur-de-lis. The design has evolved over the years, but has been featured on ore than 1.5 million Corvettes built between 1953 and today.

For the seventh-generation Corvette, the Crossed Flags design is a more technical, more angular, and ore swept appearance – a proportion that echoes the new car. It is also a more detailed representation, howing greater depth, color and attention to detail. More than 100 variations were considered before the final design was selected.

The new Crossed Flags design will be featured on the all-new, 2014 Chevrolet Corvette, which will ebut the evening of Sunday, Jan 13 in Detroit. The Corvette debut will be reserved for credentialed edia. Chevrolet will offer a limited number of tickets for Corvette enthusiasts, with proceeds enefiting the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Ky. Interested parties can visit ttp://www.corvettemuseum.org/registration/c7_reveal/info.shtml for more details.

Over the next weeks more information and video content about the seventh generation Corvette will be unlocked on www.one13thirteen.com. Enthusiasts can join the conversation about the next generation Corvette, as well as keep track of any new announcements, on Facebook (facebook.com/corvette) and Twitter@Chevrolet(#Corvette). Fans who follow the #one13thirteen ashtag on Twitter will soon learn more and can look forward to exclusive updates.

FAST FACT: The first Corvette debuted as a concept car on January 17, 1953 at the GM Motorama in New York City. That car originally featured an emblem with a checkered flag crossed with an American flag. As the American flag couldn’t be used for a commercial emblem, the logo was changed to the fleu-de-lis/bowtie design by the time the car went into production in June of 1953. The original logo with the American flag is on display at the National Corvette Museum.

Friday, September 28, 2012

On Saturday, September 29, 2012, the Historic Railpark and Train Museum, and the National Corvette Museum will participate in the eighth annual Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day. The Museums will join other participating museums and cultural institutions nationwide to open their doors free of charge to all visitors who download the Museum Day Ticket from Smithsonian.com. A journey to celebrate our world’s dynamic heritage and cultural life, participating Museum Day venues emulate the free admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities.

The Historic RailPark & Train Museum takes a step back in time to the golden era of passenger service. A guided tour of vintage railcars showcases the workings of a Post Office Car, Dining Car and Sleeper Car. The self-guided tour of the two story museum immerses visitors into the cultural story of the railroad including two new exhibits. "Hobo Times explores the life of the Hobo with the secret language interpreted into quilts by Creative Quilters Guild," said Sharon Tabor, Executive Director of the Railpark. "The Civil War and the Railroad includes personal stories, models and antique photography," she added.

Visitors to the National Corvette Museum will enjoy the special "September 11, 2001: A Global Moment" exhibit on loan from the New York State Museum, plus a new 1,000 square foot KidZone. "We are an ever-changing Museum and no two visits with us are the same," said Katie Frassinelli, Corvette Museum Marketing Manager. "We are more than just Corvette, offering a little something for everyone."

The Museum Day Ticket is available to download at www.smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present the official pass will gain free admission for two people to one participating museum or cultural venue of their choice. One ticket is permitted per household, per email address. Listings and links to participating museums’ and sponsors’ sites can be found at www.smithsonian.com/museumday.

Monday, September 24, 2012

The National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park project recently
got a major boost. NASCAR great, Rick Hendrick, through the Hendrick
Automotive Group, is making a $100,000 contribution to the NCM Motorsports
Park. As owner of Hendrick Motorsports, his teams have collected 10 Sprint Cup
Series Championships and over 200 NASCAR victories. While Rick knows racing, he
is also a great friend to the National Corvette Museum with a real interest in
the Motorsports Park as a recreational and
educational facility.

“The National
Corvette Museum celebrates an American original and one of the most iconic cars
ever made,” said Rick Hendrick, chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner
of NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports. “Racing is in the Corvette DNA, so the
addition of the Motorsports Park is an exciting next step for the NCM facility.
Being associated with the track’s message of education and safety is something
we’re proud of, and we look forward to taking some laps when it’s completed.
The Museum is already a very special place for Corvette and racing enthusiasts,
and this new project will grow that reputation even more.”

Museum
Executive Director, Wendell Strode, is thankful for the support and all that it
means. “We are grateful for this generous contribution and thrilled by
what this donation represents. Coming from one of the most successful
individuals in NASCAR history, this is a real confirmation that all of our hard
work, planning, and fundraising activity is beginning to get the attention of
people who understand and appreciate the full potential of the NCM Motorsports
Park. As we continue to move forward, we are confident that validations like
this one will lead to increased involvement from sponsors, race teams, and
motorsports organizations who will want to be a part of this exciting project.”

In other exciting news, Steve Crawford has been selected as the
park’s track designer. Steve’s first track opened nearly 40 years ago, and
since then he has designed the Thunderhill Motorsports Park in Willows, CA and
more recently, The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA.

“We were
immediately impressed by Steve’s initiative while still in the interview
phase,” said Wendell. “He had already started coming up with sketches as soon
as he saw the layout of the land that we had to work with. He was on board from
the beginning with the idea of working with Corvette Racing to build in
features from Le Mans, Watkins Glen and the Nurburgring.”

With the
uniqueness of the track and special features recommended by Corvette Racing
designed into it, the track can be used as a test facility for all of the
American Le Mans and Grand Am teams. The possibility of some NASCAR teams using
it for road course practice has also been discussed.

In addition to
the track design and facilities, the close proximity to hotels, restaurants,
shopping and such is also appealing to motorsports enthusiasts.

Steve plans to
have the track design finished by the end of the year. He will then work with
the Museum’s local civil engineering firm, DDS Engineering, to prepare bid
documents for the track – a process which is expected to take two to three
months to complete. Bid packages should be ready by the end of the first
quarter of 2013.

“Of course,
continued fundraising is the key issue that will influence whether we send
those bid packages out and have our ground breaking in time for the Bash,” said
Wendell. “At this point we are still confident that this will happen but
need individuals and clubs to keep the momentum going with donations of any
amount. We had six new participants step forward to take part in our Buy an
Acre Campaign during our last event. Each time someone steps up to do this,
whether it is an individual, a club or organization, it not only gives us the
ability to move forward financially, but it also shows prospective sponsors
something about how much the Corvette community wants this track to happen. You
built this world-class Museum, so your support of this track is a powerful
endorsement to potential sponsors,” he added.

For more
information on the National Corvette Museum’s Motorsports Park and to see a
short video on the plans, visit www.motorsportspark.org.

Monday, September 10, 2012

On Saturday, September 15, 2012, State Farm is hosting
Celebrate My Drive events across the U.S. and Canada, creating one special day
for communities to rally around new drivers as they explore the road
ahead.One such local community event
will be from 10am-3pm at the National Corvette Museum.

“The regional State Farm office approached us early this
spring wanting to see how they could partner with us on our teen driving
programs,” said Katie Frassinelli, Marketing and Communications Manager at the
National Corvette Museum.“Like us,
State Farm has an interest in keeping our teens safe on the roads, and the
programs we offer both through the driving simulators and our car care and
maintenance seminars were a great fit for their Teen Driving efforts.State Farm is supporting the Museum with
grant funding for this event, the texting while driving virtual reality
simulator, and additional resources for our ongoing teen driver classes.”

Activities at Saturday’s event include a golf cart course
using Fatal Vision goggles, basic vehicle maintenance seminars, door prize
drawings, driving simulator demos every 30 minutes, vendor booths and a mock
crash by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.The Museum and State Farm have also rented the P.E.E.R.S. Foundation
Virtual Reality Simulator – Aware TXT. The simulator is designed to teach
students the dangers of texting and driving, the consequences of their actions,
how to make the right choice and to provide them with a hands-on demonstration on
the simulator.

Families are welcome to drop in for a few activities, or
stay for the entire event.All Celebrate
My
Drive activities are free, and reduced rate Museum admission is available for
those participating who would also like to tour the exhibit areas.A complete schedule with more details is
available online at: http://www.corvettemuseum.org/registration/drive/index.shtml.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Step2® Company has donated a number of items to the National Corvette Museum just in time for the upcoming ribbon cutting of the museum's new KidZone.

“We are thrilled to support the National Corvette Museum in the opening of its new KidZone,” said Jerry McDermott, chief marketing officer, Step2® Holdings. “Now, families can enjoy an array of our developmental products while learning about the history and making of the Corvette.”

The donated Step2 Corvette bedroom set includes the bed with working lights, a room organizer, storage chest and dresser, all in the signature Corvette red complete with the Corvette logo.

Along with the bedroom set, Step2 has donated other items from their toy line that encourage fine, social and gross motor skills in children. The Art Studio for Two, Extreme Coaster, Easy Steer Sportster and 50’s Diner are just a few of the items donated totaling close to $3,000.

“The Step2 Corvette Bed is already a hit with our Corvette enthusiasts, so we’re sure that our young museum visitors will enjoy lounging on the bed to watch children’s videos during their visit,” said Katie Frassinelli, marketing manager, National Corvette Museum. “We are so appreciative of Step2 for donating this unique item as well as such attention-grabbing products for the KidZone. Families will enjoy all the great, new hands-on activities for kids.”

Step2's new Corvette bed is modeled after the Z06 featuring silver rims and realistic details (MSRP $299). The upgraded Corvette Bed with Lights™ comes equipped with working headlights that turn on with a tap (MSRP $329). The bed was designed to grow with the child providing a molded insert for a crib mattress, and once the child is ready for a larger mattress it may be replaced with a twin size. When the crib mattress is in place, children will enjoy the built-in racetrack in either model. The bed is comfortable for children ages two to 10.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the KidZone is scheduled for Thursday, August 30 at 3:30 p.m. Central Time at the National Corvette Museum.

About the National Corvette Museum:The National Corvette Museum is a member-driven, non-profit foundation dedicated to educating the public through the preservation of the Corvette’s past, present and future heritage. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, the Museum is located at Exit 28 off I-65 in Bowling Green, KY. Learn more at www.corvettemuseum.org.

About The Step2® Company:The Step2® Company includes the brands Step2® and Infantino® which foster learning and development through creative play in children from birth to school-age years. Based in Streetsboro, Ohio, Step2® is the largest American manufacturer of preschool and toddler toys, and the world’s largest rotational molder of children’s and home products, including children’s play kitchens, playhouses, outdoor toys and ride on toys, as well as home products such as mailboxes, gardening aids and trash cans. Learn more at www.Step2.com.

National Corvette Museum Welcomes Temporary Display from the New York State Museum in Conjunction with the 11th Anniversary of the September 11 Terrorist Attacks

September 11, 2001 was an attack on the world. Within a few hours 2,974 people from 80 countries were killed in New York, Washington DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. In the years since, many people have had a powerful need to know what happened, and reflect about how that day changed us.
While these horrific events hurt us deeply, they also served to remind us of the way that we come together in times of tragedy and adversity as a nation. In the wake of this evil, we were reminded of the willpower, strength and resolve that continue to define us as a country.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001: A GLOBAL MOMENT

From August 4 - October 28, 2012, the National Corvette Museum will host a traveling exhibit based on the permanent exhibition The World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response housed at the State Museum in Albany, New York. Incorporating World Trade Center artifacts, personal objects from victims and survivors, pieces of aircraft and items documenting the international response, visitors will have an opportunity to see for themselves the reminders of the event that connects us all.

This exhibition begins with a look back at the world before 9/11 and then takes guests through the moments that none of us can forget. Through photographs and artifacts we remember and honor those we lost. The exhibit then covers the response and recovery efforts that would mark this pivotal moment in history.

SPECIAL GUEST PRESENTATION

There will be a special guest presentation on August 31, at 10:00 a.m. and on September 1, at 9:00 a.m. featuring Wesley Wong. Mr. Wong served as Special Agent of the FBI since 1976 and was the senior FBI on-scene commander at Ground Zero. In his 1-hour, 15-minute presentation, Mr. Wong shares personal accounts of that day, iconic imagery and stories from the aftermath. His moving presentation honors the memory of the many lives lost.

EXHIBIT INFORMATION

Make plans to come to this special exhibit and get the word out to others who might be interested in this powerful history lesson to us all. For more information visit us at www.corvettemuseum.org.
The Museum is open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at I-65 exit 28. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for kids age 6 to 16, free for children 5 and under or $25 for Family admission (everyone in the same household).

Special pricing is available for groups of 15 or more, including student groups, clubs, church groups and more. To reserve your group visit, please contact the Museum Admissions Department at 270-467-8808.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

The General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant has released their production figures for the 2012 Model Year Corvette. A total of 11,647 Corvettes were produced: 24.4% were base coupes, 5.3% were base convertibles, 43.4% were Grand Sport Coupes, 19.5% were Grand Sport Convertibles, 4.1% were Z06s and 3.5% were ZR1s.

Of the ten colors offered in 2012, Torch Red knocked black from the top spot with 19.5% or 2,266 cars. Carbon Flash Metallic (this year’s only ‘black’) was in close second with 18.9% or 2,201 cars. The order of popularity for the remaining colors was: Blade Silver, Arctic White, Crystal Red Metallic, Cyber Gray, Supersonic Blue, Velocity Yellow, Carlisle Blue and Inferno Orange.

The addition of navigation to the 3LT package proved to be successful as 47.3% or 5,510 of the cars built had this option.

The Centennial Edition Package was quite popular with 18.9% of the cars having this feature, while 8.9% of the Grand Sports had the Heritage Package.

Only six buyers opted for the Customer Selectable VIN, while 12 completed the Corvette Engine Build Experience. The National Corvette Museum was fortunate to welcome 181 Corvettes as part of the R8C Museum Delivery option.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

The Corvette community is about more than just cars... it's also about philanthropy and supporting those in need. After the wave of tornados hit and devastated many communities in Kentucky, our Corvette family has come forward, asking how to help.

After looking for opportunities to chip in with other area relief efforts the Museum is partnering with a group of friends and family, organized by Jason & Donna Bennett, and Lacy & Kevin Harrod of Bowling Green, who have direct connections to the communities in need, to collect and deliver items.

The items will be transported to communities surrounding West Liberty including Crockitt, Lawrence County, Marysville, Henryville and East Bernstadt this Saturday, March 10 and again next Saturday, March 17.

Collection Location and Times:The Museum has a collection box in the lobby and items can be dropped off seven days a week, 8am-5pm.

The group will also be setup tonight (Thursday, March 8) at Greenwood High School on Scottsville Road beginning at 5pm, and Friday, March 9 at Warren East High School beginning at 5pm.

Suggested Items

baby items (diapers, formula, baby food, wipes)

canned goods, packaged food

batteries, flashlights,

toiletries

lates gloves, trashbags

The Museum is located at 350 Corvette Drive, just off I-65 exit 28.

Cash Donations & Volunteer OpportunitiesThe area is also in need of cash and volunteers. If you are willing to donate or help out, visit http://kyem.ky.gov/donationsvolunteers/Pages/default.aspx to signup. This website also has a list of agencies that can accept cash donations online.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Taking your vehicle in for repairs or maintenance can be an intimidating thing, especially when you might not have much experience in knowing what your car may or may not need done to it. The National Corvette Museum has developed a course to help consumers become more educated when buying parts and services for their vehicle.

Women especially can feel overwhelmed when they bring their vehicle in for servicing. “A car is a major, significant expense in the lives of most people and it’s just as important for women to know how to have their car serviced properly as it is for men,” said Roc Linkov, a Senior High Performance Driving Instructor for the Museum. Roc is also an instructor for the new Powder Puff Mechanics course and adds that it teaches women to be knowledgeable about their vehicle and provides them with information to help them keep their cars in running condition.

A shortened version of the course was offered at many of the Museum’s Corvette events, and was so popular it was decided to further expand the content and open it up to the public. The course will be held on Saturday, February 11 from 10am-2pm. The sessions cover topics including “under the hood” (air filters, how to check and fill fluids), controls and warning lights, owner’s manual review, tires (how to change a flat, check tire pressure, add air, read tire codes, identify wear patterns) and much more.

In addition to instructional and hands-on seminars covering care of cars, the course will also give attendees a chance to learn and practice what to do in emergency situations like tire blow out, using the NCM’s two state-of-the-art driving simulators. “Our simulators give people the chance to practice what to do in various scenarios on the road, ones you can’t safely practice in real life,” said NCM Education Coordinator Jackie Utzler. “We have launched the new NCM Drivers’ Safety Academy, offering a number of courses for both teens and older drivers to help make our roads and drivers safer. Powder Puff Mechanics will give people a taste of what the simulators have to offer.”

Registration for the course is only $10 for students (including college) and $12 for adults and includes the seminars, lunch and Museum admission. Participants are asked to pre-register online by Friday, February 10 at www.corvettemuseum.org/simulators. Girl Scouts can earn a patch for attending when they register through the local Girl Scout office at 270-842-6137.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Lifetime Museum Member Eugene Nagowski shares his good fortune with the less fortunate and hopes to inspire other Corvette owners to do the same.

Eugene Nagowski never had any children of his own, but a few minutes around him is enough to confirm that he is something of a big kid himself. He loves life and likes to have fun in his 2010 Chevrolet Corvette, but his real joy comes from spreading happiness to others.

“I’ve been very fortunate,” the Texas resident says. “I was married for 44 years to the perfect person and with her, every day was special. How many people can say that?”

Since his wife Patricia passed away in 2009, Eugene has set out to honor her memory by being good to others. He’s donated money to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to help with medical care and the expenses of families staying there for treatment. “There really is no feeling like the one you get when you hear from a child who has been given some joy in the middle of all that suffering.” Eugene said.

“I’m an out-of-the-box kind of thinker,” Eugene added, “so it occurred to me that the Corvette Museum could give a lot of joy to underprivileged kids, too. Kids need fun in their lives and a reason to get excited. What’s more exciting than Corvettes? If a kid could come to the Museum, enjoy a day there and get away from it all, that could make a big difference in their life.”

Toward that end, Eugene has made a donation to establish an endowment and made a commitment to add to the endowment by July 2012. He hopes that his generosity will inspire other Corvette owners to band together and grow this endowment to help others.

“If every Corvette owner would just give a dollar, there would be enough seed money to where the interest alone could fund all kinds of good work. For those able to do more, they should do more to help this happen.” Eugene hopes that the fund can do other great things, like bring in kids from families who couldn’t otherwise afford it to enjoy a day of fun at the Museum and even pay for wheelchairs for use in the Museum by special needs children. He wants everyone to know that the Corvette community cares.

For more information on the National Corvette Museum’s Education Endowment and programs offered for children, visit www.corvettemuseum.org/kids.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

January 14 the National Corvette Museum welcomes a special traveling exhibition from the Ithaca, New York Sciencenter entitled “It’s a Nano World.” The exhibit introduces children and their families to the biological wonders of the nano world and inspires curiosity, creating a context for future learning about nanobiotechnology.

The hands-on exhibit’s focus is on the “adventures” of very tiny things and demonstrates the tools scientists use to see them. At the ‘Magnification Station’ visitors can use microscopes of different strengths to look at items such as shells, paper, sand and hair. Children can become larger than life at the ‘Giant Magnifying Glass’ and can learn about the effects of small things in the air while playing ‘germ, dust and pollen pinball.’ There is also a ‘Giant Blood Drop’ represented by a large pit filled with over one thousand red balls (red blood cells) and the challenge is to hunt for the few fluffy white balls (white blood cells).

“This will be the third year in a row that we’ve brought in a special exhibit during this time period,” said Katie Frassinelli, Marketing and Communications Manager. “Your ticket into the Museum gives you access to both Corvettes and this hands-on children’s science exhibit… it’s like two in one!”

The exhibit will officially kick off on Saturday, January 21 with Family Fun day, offering free activities in the Museum’s Conference Center from noon-3pm.

The exhibit is funded in part by a sponsorship from PNC Bank. “PNC has developed a program called ‘Grow Up Great’ which helps prepare children for success in school and life, especially underserved children,” said Katie. “This will be our second exhibit to work with PNC on, and this year we are bringing in all of the Bowling Green Headstart children as part of their sponsorship to give them the opportunity to enjoy the exhibit.”

Through Grow Up Great, PNC supports families, educators and community partners to provide innovative opportunities that enhance learning and development in a child’s early years. Research shows that children who participate in high-quality preschool programs are far more likely to experience greater educational achievements, strive toward higher vocational aspirations and contribute to society later in life. Their website, http://www.pncgrowupgreat.com/ offers a number of great Sesame Street themed activities, downloads and information.

"We’re excited to bring this hands-on exhibit to Bowling Green,” said Kevin Carrico, PNC Regional Manager. “PNC’s Grow Up Great program offers educational opportunities to children everywhere, and It's a Nano World has activities families not only from south central Kentucky can enjoy, but also the many visitors who pass through our wonderful community.”

In addition to PNC’s commitment the Museum is seeking businesses and individuals to sponsor classrooms and schools that might not otherwise get the opportunity to take a field trip. The “Fund-A-Fieldtrip” program has the potential to increase the number of visitors to the Museum while providing kids with a fun, educational learning opportunity outside the classroom walls. Classroom sponsorships are $300 and include a number of recognition benefits. Contact Katie at 270-467-8846 or katie@corvettemuseum.org to find out how you can sponsor a classroom.

Admission to the Museum and Exhibit(Regular admission price includes the exhibit)$10 for adults$5 for kids age 6-16$8 for seniors$25 family admission (everyone in a household)$4 student groups age 6-16$3 student groups age 3-5(1 free teacher/leader with every 10 students, bus drivers free)

Discount tickets to the exhibit are available at Bowling Green and Smiths Grove branches of PNC Bank, and PNC Bank customers may simply show a bank card to purchase discount tickets at the Museum.

Hours & LocationOpen seven days a week, 8am-5pm CT350 Corvette Drive, just off I-65 exit 28.The exhibit is open January 14 - April 15, 2012

Family Fun DaySaturday, January 21 - 12-3pmThe exhibit will officially kick off on Saturday, January 21 with Family Fun day, offering free activities in the Museum’s Conference Center from noon-3pm. Activities include an indoor inflatable, face painting, arts and crafts activities, games, vendor booths and more. The first 50 kids to attend will receive FREE admission to the Museum and Nano World exhibit!

Character BreakfastSaturday, January 21 - 8-11amKid Stuff Around Town, a local nonprofit organization who matches youth volunteers with opportunities, is hosting a "Character Breakfast" in conjunction with Family Fun Day. The breakfast will give families the opportunity to dine with various "characters" including Big Red, Yogi Bear and Boo Boo, Cinderella, Iggy, Licky, Axel the Hot Rods Bear and many others. Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased online at:http://www.kidstuffaroundtown.com/.

About Me

This 115,000 sq. ft. showcase to America's sports car features over 80 Corvettes showcased in periodic settings including a mid-century barbershop, service station and historic race track! See classics in mint condition, one-of-a-kind prototypes that never went into production & modern-day wonders of engineering and design. Interact and test your skills by fueling up and changing tires at the "Pit Crew Challenge" exhibit, enjoy a film in the Chevy Theater and see rare collectibles and memorabilia. Sit behind the wheel of a Corvette and register to drive one home. Enjoy shopping in the Corvette Store which offers a wide selection of apparel, collectibles, home and gift items. Open daily, 8am-5pm.